Outside Sports Athletes

Outside Sports is proud to support and sponsor some local New Zealand athletes who compete in a range of outdoor sporting activities and events. Outside Sports is all about promoting outdoor sports in New Zealand and across the world. Find out more about the Outside Sports athletes here.

Adam Wilson

Outside Sports Triathlete

"I was a late starter to the sport of triathlon. Growing up I was always into team sports and most my spare time was spent playing Rugby, Cricket and Waterpolo. After I spent a large part of my 20’s as a ski bum I finally settled year round in Queenstown. A combination of finally having summers, loving sport and being outdoors lead me to competing in my first triathlon. In my first race I swam for a team at the Paradise Off-Road Tri in 2011 and from there I was hooked, next summer I competed in my first individual half ironman in Wanaka. 4 Years later triathlon has taken me all around the world and changed my lift significantly. Aside from the competitive aspect of the sport I just love getting out and making the most of what Queenstown has to offer." Adam Wilson.

Reuben Thompson

Outside Sports Triathlete

"I was introduced to triathlon from the Jacks Point Kids race. From there I had a mate at school who I thought very highly of and I strived a lot to beat him. I started semi seriously training for tri when I was 13/14 based on what my friend was doing and trying to keep up with him. From there I have got into cycling too. I got offered a ride up to the South Island Champs in Christchurch where I got third and have since got involved with the club joining in on the group rides on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Into the future I would be aiming overall for Ironman but would like to keep my options open to cycling for NZ or the likes". Reuben

Floortje Grimmet

Outside Sports Triathlete/Adventure Racer

Floortje competed in the Godzone adventure race 2015, and was lucky to be part of the "Tiki Tour Team", Sponsored by Rational Engineering. Floortje describes the difficult course of the Godzone that covered variable terrain across the amazing scenery surrounding Wanaka in unpredictable weather here.

Jo Williams

Outside Sports Adventure Racer

I have always enjoyed adventures in the outdoors. So I fell into multisport and adventure racing almost as a way of staying fit for big adventures in the hills. Wanaka and the surrounding area is one big adventure playground, making it an ideal training ground! I have been lucky enough to race in all the God Zone events so far and have enjoyed racing overseas, in Costa Rica ARWC, Expedition Africa, Patagonia and China. More recently I have really enjoyed taking part in trail running races, one of my favourites being the Richtersveld Transfronteir Wild Run. I have also participated in the Coast to Coast, Gold Rush, Red Bull Defiance and Challenge Wanaka. I especially enjoy the club races and rogaines held locally. Always such fun events with a great bunch of people. Thanks to Outside Sports for encouragement and support over the years.

Sarah Douglas

Outside Sports Runner

"My love of running began with Christchurch Avon Athletic Club who taught me the fundamentals of running training and the importance of coffee and muffins after a Sunday long hill run. I spent 5 years in America on a running scholarship and afterwards moved to Queenstown where my passion for running up mountains started. Nothing beats the satisfaction of a tough ascent and the freedom of a fast descent. My top running accomplishments are winning the New Zealand mountain running champs in 2014 on an uphill only course and breaking the Routeburn Classic course record the same year. Thanks to my sponsors Outside Sports, New Balance. and Ultimate Direction".

Richie Johnston

Outside Sports Snowboarder and Mountain Bike

Richie has always lived a life surrounded by mountains, lakes and the good people that come with it. Calling Wanaka home, his favourite sports are snowboarding and mountain biking. His passion for sport lead him into the coaching world, where he trains people to become snowboard instructors and para-athletes toward World Cup & X-Games. He has been successful around the world competing in mainly free riding events and is the current Treble Cone Banked Slalom champion. During the summer Richie guides multi-day cycle trips and enjoys laps around the local trails in Wanaka. Read Richies Blog. Ambassador for: Neversummer Snowboards, Candygrind gloves, Icebreaker Merino

Olly Thomas

Outside Sports Free Skier

“I’m 14 years old and a freeskier from Wanaka, New Zealand. Last season I perfected a 720 with grabs, lots of rail tricks and big spins on big jumps. This season I hope to work on my 900s and to introduce 1080s to the mix. I’m working to bring in even more complex tricks as the season progresses. I’m a competitive freeskier and have placed 2nd in The Chill Series Junior Big Mountain, Craigieburn and 3rd in the Junior Nationals Big Mountain Competition held at Cardrona. As well as more complex tricks, my objective for 2017 is to achieve more podium places and to conquer a clean 720 on the big air jump - focusing on this year’s NZ Junior Nationals. Ultimately, I aim to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics."

Luca Harrington

Outside Sports Free Skier

"My name is Luca Huck Harrington and I am 12 years old and I love to ski and compete in Park, Pipe and Big Mountain. Last year I placed second in the Junior Nationals Slopestyle and Half Pipe, as well as third in the Big Mountain for my age group. For the past seven years, I have been the Treble Cone Mini Mountain Champion. My Dad, Greg Harrington, is a Coach for a program called Park Squad at Cardrona. I train with him and other coaches here and in the Northern Hemisphere. In addition to skiing, I spend a lot of time riding my motorbike, playing soccer, trampolining, roller blading and playing guitar.

This year my focused trick I want to learn is a Switch Cork 540 flip. My Goal for this year is to win the over all at the Junior Nationals held at Cardrona in all disciplines".

Tony Moore

Outside Sports Mountain/Downhill Bike

A local Queenstown mountain bike celebrity. Mountain bike pioneer, Tony Moore was involved in forming many New Zealand Mountain Bike Clubs, raced in the first National Mountain Bike series, and was an elite professional racer at the international worlds Downhill races. Tony still continues to race on his 26" singlespeed.

Ben Luke

Outside Sports Road/Mountain Bike

"I have been a very sporty person for as long as I remember trying many different sports, swimming, rowing, athletics and rugby to name a few. Growing up in Queenstown I have now been involved with Outside Sports for many years and working there since 2012 in the ski and bike shops. It wasn’t really until 2013/14 summer when I got more heavily involved in the biking side of things. After doing my first Motatapu I realized how much I loved getting out and riding my bike especially pushing myself and exploring new places, which Queenstown is perfect for. For the 2015/16 season I’ll be focusing a bit more on road riding than I have done in the past while still doing cross country mountain bike races as much as possible". Ben